Statue of Liberty climber sentenced to probation

Theresa Patricia Okoumou was sentenced to five years of probation and 200 hours of community service. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

Therese Okoumou's lawyer said she won't rule out similar stunts protesting immigration laws in the future. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

March 19 (UPI) -- A Manhattan judge on Tuesday sentenced a New York woman to probation and community service for climbing the Statue of Liberty's pedestal in July to protest President Donald Trump's immigration policies.

The judge sentenced Therese Patricia Okoumou, 45, to five years of probation and 200 hours of community service for the protest on the Fourth of July.

She appeared in court with clear tape wrapped around her face, a metaphor, her friend told the New York Daily News, for the suppression of free speech. Okoumou also wore a headband with the words "I care" written across it.

Manhattan Federal Court Magistrate Gabriel Gorenstein told Okoumou to take off the tape to proceed with the hearing.